KNOXVILLE, Tenn. — Services at St. John Neumann Catholic Church were held as usual Sunday morning, two days after the Diocese of Knoxville put Father Joseph Reed, a priest at the church, on administrative leave.
The diocese's leaders made the decision after Father Reed was accused of violating the diocese's Safe Environment Policy. Father Peter Iorio spoke on behalf of the diocese to a full room during Sunday's 10:30 a.m. service.
“A complaint of boundary violations has been brought to the diocese’s attention, and we are committed to being fully transparent about our response," Father Iorio said.
He read from a letter the diocese emailed Knoxville's Catholic community on Dec. 13. He concluded by saying he would be standing by the church's front doors to answer questions.
John Mecklenborg, director of communications for the diocese, told WBIR in an email Sunday afternoon that an initial investigation into the accusation was completed by the diocese before Father Reed was suspended.
The Safe Environment Policy defines the church's response to several forms of harassment, including sexual assault of both minors and vulnerable adults. Anyone who participates in church-related activities falls under the policy's standards.
T. Scott Jones, a Knoxville-area lawyer, said if the accusations are credible, there are two paths forward.
“Obviously, if it’s a child, then the Department of Children Services will get involved – I’m talking about the victim – but if it is an adult, then they have a special Sex Crimes Unit that conducts those investigations," Jones said.
He said the investigation will be led by the Knox County Sheriff's Department and the Knox County District Attorney's office.
The Diocese said in its Dec. 13 statement that "the principle of the presumption of innocence" will guide it during the investigation. The state also said that the diocese will wait for law enforcement and other authorities to complete their investigations before completing its own, "independent and comprehensive review of the matter."
Jones said there is no single answer to cases of this nature, but did agree with the diocese's attempt to separate its process from law enforcement's process.
“Obviously, you want to be there for your parishioners, but likewise, you need to maintain that distance and also make sure that separation is there, that you prevent yourself of being accused of something you don't do," he said.
